Method of forming paper containers



Sept. 8, 1936. R. K. REED METHOD OF FORMING PAPER CONTAINERS Original Filed Aug. 16, 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet '1 rigs IN V EN TOR. 7Pa ono A. 7F e0. ZZKQM z A TTORNEYS.

Sept. 8, 1936. v R, K. REED 2,053,299

METHOD OF FORMING PAPER CONTAINERS Origin a]. Filed Aug. 16, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 J v INVENTOR.

7Pa/and K. 79sec, mfifli NW5 V 97 A TTORNEYS.

Patented Sept. 8, 1936 i UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE METHOD OF FORMING PAPER CONTAINERS Roland K. Reed, New York, N. Y., assignor, by mesne assignments, to Frank C. B. Page, New York, N. Y., as trustee Original application August 16, 1932, Serial No.

628,968. Divided and this application July 27,. 1933, Serial No. 682,365. Renewed December 5,

Claims. (01. 93-2) This invention relates to a method of forming circular" in cross section and an upper portion a paper container. 21 that is hexagonal in crosssection. As shown, The present application is a division from an there is no sharp dividing line between these two application filed August 16, 1932, Serial No. portions, the flat sides of the hexagon merging 5 628,968. gradually into the cylindrical part. Near the'up- 5 It is an object of the invention to provide an per end of the bottle is a shoulder 28 and above effective and economical method of forming a this shoulder is a self-closing mouth. paper container. In the exemplification illustrated in Figs. 1-12, 7 With this general object in view, the invention the mouth is defined by the top edges of a pluconsists in the method and steps which will first rality of pleats or folds formed in the bottle body 10 be described in connection with the accompanyand arranged to be closed and drawn together ing drawings and then more particularly pointed to close the mouth. To this end, that portion of out. a the bottle body above shoulder 28, and which In the drawings: may be termed the bottle neck, comprises a plu- Fig. 1 is a plan view of a blank for producing rality of triangular panels or flutes 34. These 15 a bottle in accordance with the invention; panels point inwardly and upwardly and hinge Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken on the line 2-2 from shoulder 28. Connecting the several panels of Fig. 1; 34 are pleats or folds 3233, their common edges Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the bottle with the 3|, on which they hinge, pointing outwardly. As mouth partly open; appears in Figs. 3 and 4, the top edges of pleats 20 Fig. 4 is an elevational view of the same; 32, 33 define a star-shaped mouth 35. By an in Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken on the line 5-5 ward crimping or gathering of the parts, the upof Fig. 4; per pointed ends of panels 34 approach a common FigS- 6 a d are explanatory Views relating to central point, hinging from shoulder 28. At the the bottom closure; same time, pleats 32, 33 close up, i. e. the two 25 Fig. 8 isa bottom plan view; sides of each pleat approach one another. In Fig. 9 is a sectional view (enlarged) 0l completely closed position, the individual pleats a modified bottom joint; are closed flat and the several pleatsare drawn ig. 10 is a top plan view of the closed bottle together with the inner ends of their top edges with clamping means-in place; meeting at a common central point. In this posi- 30 Fig. 11 is an elevational view thereof; tion the mouth is closed and the top of the 12 is an end elevation of the le n P Ll bottle presents six radiating closed edges of twon position wi h p r f h mp m ans ply stock, two of which appear in Fig. 12. Putremoved; ting it another way, in this position the top of 35 3 S a Side elevation of the Same; the bottle comprises a closed pyramid formed by 35 Figs- 14 and 15 are perspective ws of t panels 34, with a series of closed folds or pleats two-part clamping means; extending out from the edges of the pyramid in Fig .16 is a top plan view of a modified com the nature of fins.

There is provided a bottom closure for the botstruction; is an elevation of the a and tie which may conveniently be a separate closure Fig. 18 is a top plan view of the same with the permanently secured to the bottom of the bottle mouth partly opened for pouring. body. As here shown as an example, a disk-like Referring 0 the drawings. the ent on is 11- closure 40 having a downturned flange 4| is as-, lustrated, as an example, in connection with a sembled with the bottle body and the closure vpaper bottle having a one-piece body portion inflange is secured to the bottom edge of the body 5 eluding a self-closing mouth, and a bottom closby a spinning operation, this step being well ure secured to the body portion. It is to be unknown in the art. derstood that the term bottle is used to in- In carrying out the invention in its entirety, dicate containers generally a t e term selfthe overlapping portions of the bottle body and closing mouth is used to indicate a mouth closed the bottom closure are subjectedto a crushing or 50 by means of the material of the bottle body itself, squeezing operation. Fig. 6 illustrates schematirather than by a cover or other extraneous cally the parts after the spinning operation. closure. Spun joints of this type have a considerable per- The bottle illustrated as an example in Figs. centage of leakers due to various causes. For 1-2 has a lower portion 26 that is substantially example, a proper lock is destroyed by the in- 55 herent spring-back in the material and liquid can work its way around the spiral path formed by the overlapped scroll. Creases frequently are formed in the joint and provide channels through which liquid can escape. I

Fig. '7 illustrates schematically one manner of avoiding these faults. As there shown, the overlapped scroll of the joint has been subjected to a squaring pressure that squeezes the joint together and crushes it sufliciently to break down the fibres. As a result, any channels formed by creases are squeezed out or closed up; any springback tendency is destroyed by the breaking down of the fibres; and the path presented to any liquid that may tend to escape is composed of sharp angles, thus preventing leakage.

Fig. 9 illustrates another crushed and squeezed joint. In this case, pressure is applied to the bottom of the scroll, slightly off-center. The resultant chasing action forces the edge of the bottle body well around back of the edge of the closure flange to form a proper lock and there is a further interlock of the parts at the point 42. As in the former case, the fibres are broken down to destroy any spring-back tendency; creases are squeezed out or closed up; and the path for anyliquid tending to escape has sharp angles. Moreover, as appears in Fig. 9, all internal air spaces in the scroll are closed up.

With joints such as those described, there is substantially no danger of any leakage at the bottom of the bottle.

The body above described, 1. e. the entire container except for the bottom closure, may conveniently be formed from a unitary fiat blank. Fig. 1 illustrates, by way of example, a flat blank suitably cut and scored or embossed for forming the bottle above described.

This blank comprises a rectangular portion 45 defined by three cut edges and a horizontal score 28. This rectangular portion is set off into a plurality of panels 46 by vertical scores 41. These vertical scores start at horizontal score 28 and terminate short of the bottom of the blank, substantially as shown. The number of panels depends on the shape of the desired bottle, there being one extra panel to provide a seam. Thus, for the hexagonal bottle described, seven panels are provided.

Above each panel 45 of the blank is a triangular panel 34. These panels, except those at the ends, are defined by score 28 and oblique scores 48, 49. The triangular panel 34 at one end is defined by scores 28 and 49 and a cut edge of the blank and the panel at the other end is defined by scores 28, 48 and a cut edge of the blank. The apex of each triangle lies in the top edge of the blank which is of zig-zag formation substantially as shown.

In line with vertical scores 41, and conveniently formed as continuations thereof, are scores 31 extending to the top edge of the blank. These scores 3| set off the area between the several panels 34 into two triangles 32, 33, having their apices lying in horizontal score 28.

In forming the bottle body from the blank described, according to an approved procedure, glue or other suitable adhesive is applied to one end panel 46 and one end panel 34, as indicated by the shading in Fig. 1. The blank is then wound on a cylindrical mandrel with the end panels overlapping and is there held until the adhesive sets. This provides a cylindrical tube to which the bottom closure is attached as above described.

With this cylinder in more or less softened condition, for example, just after a paraflining bath, crimping fingers or dies are applied to the top of the cylinder. By this action, the cylinder breaks along scores 41 to take a hexagonal shape, except for the unscored lower portion which remains cylindrical. There is a further break along score 28 and along scores 48, 49, and 3|. As the crimping action is continued, the top portion is gathered inwardly, panels 34 hinging from the shoulder formed by score 28 and triangles 32, 33 forming pleats which hinge at their edges formed by scores 3|.

The crimping or closing operation may be interrupted with the mouth only partly closed, as in Fig. 3, for filling. Thereafter, further crimping action closes up the mouth as above described.

In carrying out the invention in its entirety, the folds and creases above described are set to remove any tendency to spring back. This may be accomplished by making the folds and creases while the container is soft and hot and filling the same with a cold liquid while still soft and hot. For example, with the bottle described, after the blank has been wound into tubular shape and the bottom closure attached, it is subjected to a hot paraffin bath. This is a customary step in proofing paper containers for milk and similar contents. While the container is still soft and hot, the crimping pressure above referred to is applied and the mouth partially closed (Fig. 3). While the container is still soft and hot, milk or other liquid at subnormal temperature, e. g. 40, is introduced and the mouth immediately closed. The action of the cold contents on the hot and soft container sets the various folds and creases and removes any springback tendency.

In carrying out the invention in its entirety, the mouth is sealed by means of a temperature differential. This may be accomplished by means of a crimping or gripping die maintained at a temperature substantially different from the temperature of the bottle. For example, if the bottle is to be sealed while still hot, as from the paraffin bath, the die may be water-cooled to obtain the temperature differential. Or, if the bottle is cool, i. e. at room temperature, a heated die may be used. By such gripping or squeezing of the pleats or folds to close the same tightly at a temperature differential, the pleats are sealed shut, thus sealing the mouth and rendering it substantially airand water-tight.

The bottle illustrated in Figs. 1-12 has clamping means for retaining the mouth closed. As appears more clearly in Figs. 10-15, this retaining means is in the form of a two-part removable clamp. One part is a clamp element 53 comprising two alined clip portions 54, 55. The clips of this clamp element are arranged to slip over the top edges of two diametrically alined pleats to grip the same and hold them closed. The clamp element 53 is centrally cut away, as at 56, to straddle the other pleats. The second part is a clamp element 51 having four similar clip portions arranged in X formation for slipping over the remaining pleats to grip the same and hold them closed. This clamp element 51 is centrally cut away, as at 58, to straddle clamp element 53 and the other pleats.

Figs. 16-18 illustrate a further embodiment of clamping means. In this case, two adjacent pleats are drawn together and clamped by a single clip 59. The two diametrically opposite adjacent pleats are similarly drawn together and clamped by a similar single clip 60'. The remaining two alined pleats are clamped by a clamping element that is a duplicate of clamp 53. I

While the mouth of the bottle sealed as above described is not liable to come open under ordi-' nary handling, the clamping means described positively holds the mouth closed, since the mouth cannot open unless the pleats unfold. As a result,

the bottle may be shipped and otherwise handled without danger of leakage at the month. Moreover, the clamping means serves as a protection against the accumulation of dust or dirt on the edges of the mouth.

To remove the contents, the bottle mouth may be opened or partially opened in various ways. The invention in its entirety, however, includes provision for forming a pouring spout. This may be accomplished, for example, by removing part of the clamping means to free one or more pleats and utilizing such pleat or pleats to form a pouring spout.

One method of so obtaining a spout is to cause one of the triangular panels 34 to swing outwardly, the adjacent pleats unfolding and forming, with the panel, a pouring spout. Such a method is illustrated in Figs. 10-12. Clamp element 51 is removed, thus releasing two adjacent pleats, e. g. the lowermost pleats as viewed in Figs. 10 and 12. With this particular clamping means the opposite two pleats are also released but that is incidental. Upon an outward movement of the intervening panel 34, the two adjacent pleats open or unfold. Continued movement of the panel results in a reverse bend along scores or creases 48, 49, the pleats approaching a full open 7 or flat position. In this position, the panel and the adjacent pleats form a pouring spout 63 similar to the spout of a pitcher (Figs. 12, 13).

The formation of this spout may be effected in various ways, for example, by finger pressure or by supplying the panels with a pulling tab.

In using finger pressure, the bottle may be held in one hand and the two released pleats grasped between the thumb and forefinger of the other hand. A diverging pressure on the edges of the two pleats tends to and eventually does flatten out the bends along scores 48, 49, i. e. the bends between the panel and the connected sides of the adjacent pleats. As the center line is reached and crossed, the panel starts to pull away. The direction of pressure is now changed, but without the necessity of any shift of the hand. By now squeezing the edges of the pleats toward each other, the pleats open out with a reverse bend along scores 48, 49 and the parts take the spout position of Figs, 12, 13.

During this opening of the spout there is no general opening of the mouth, the latter being prevented by clamp element 53 which maintains the next adjacent pleats at each side of the spout closed. It so happens that the other two pleats are released, as above referred to, but clamp element 53 prevents any pull or other force that would tend to open them.

There is provided means for pulling out a panel to form the spout above described. Although capable of various constructions, in that shown as an example in Figs. 1-13, one of the panels 34 has a cut-out finger piece or pulling tab 65. This tab is formed in the outer ply of the overlapping panel so that there is no leakage around the cut-out. The spout above described may be formed by pulling out the panel by means of the tab.

A spout such as that described forms a convenient means of removing the contents of the bottle as there is substantially no drip. Moreover, if only part of the contents is removed, the parts forming the spout may be refolded into initial position and the clamp element replaced. While the mouth, after being once thus partly opened and reclosed, is not airor liquid-tight, it is sufliciently closed to protect the contents from dirt, dust, etc. while the bottle stands in a refrigerator or the like.

In the embodiment of the clamping means illustrated in Figs. 10-13, all the clips are removable. It will be seen, therefore, that both clamp elements may be removed and the mouth generally opened. But for forming the spout described, it is necessary to have only two adjacent clips removable so as to free two adjacent pleats.

It is possible to form other types of pouring spouts. For example, two alined pleats may be released while the others are held closed. This is illustrated in Figs. 16-18 in which removal of clamp Bl releases the horizontally alined pleats,

clips 59 and 60 holding the other pleats closed. By finger pressure applied to the edges of these released pleats, the two pleats may be squeezed open to form a double-ended pouring spout 61. Release of the pressure or a reverse pressure closes these pleats and clamp element 6| may be replaced. In this case, also, all the clips may be removed, if desired, and the mouth generally opened.

With the bottle above described, there is substantially no danger of leakage at the bottom because of the joint described. The only body seam is a vertical one so there is no horizontal ledge where liquid might tend to work into the overlap. The single seam is relatively wide (Fig. 5) so that there is no danger of the contents breaking down the adhesive to an undue extent. At the top, the mouth is tightly closed so that the bottle may be shipped and otherwise handledwithout leakage. Not only is the use of extraneous closures avoided, but the mouth is readily opened for removal of the contents and readily closed again if part of the contents is to be retained. In original closed position, moreover, the neck of the bottle presents an interior surface that is substantially a jointless pyramid. As a result, there are no cracks, crevices, ledges or the like where the contents might accumulate. This, in the case of milk, for example, avoids any unsanitary accumulation of dried milk.

The bottle is capable of economical production, particularly in view of the fact that the entire body, 1. e. all the container except the bottom closure, is formed from a unitary fiat blank which may be cut from a paper roll.

What is claimed is:

1. The method of producing a filled and closed package which comprises forming a paper container having a neck, forming scored lines in said neck where ultimate folds are desired, subjecting the container to a hot coating bath, applying crimping pressure to the container neck while the coating is still hot to make folds along said score lines, and filling the container while still hot with a relatively cold liquid, thereby to set the folds.

2. The method of producing a filled and closed package which comprises forming a paper conto make folds therein, and filling the container while still hot with a relatively cold liquid, there--, by to set the folds.

3. The method of producing a filled and closed package which comprises subjecting a paper container to a hot coating bath, applying crimping pressure to the neck of the container while the coating is still hot to make folds for effecting a self-closing mouth, filling the container while still hot with a relatively cold liquid, thereby to set the folds, and gathering in the folded portion to closing position.

4. The method of forming a paper container which comprises providing the container neck with a plurality of scored lines where folds are desired, subjecting the container to a hot coating bath, and applying crimping pressure while the coating is still hot to make folds along said scorec' lines.

5. The method of producing a filled and closed package which comprises forming a paper container having a neck provided with scored lines where ultimate folds are desired, subjecting the 

